IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/–How does a stolen notebook PC give customers peace of mind? Because in this case, the notebook PC — from Gateway — was recovered and is back with its rightful owner thanks to Gateway Mobile Theft Protection Solution powered by Absolute Software’s Computrace® LoJack® for Laptops security software.

Previously only available on Gateway’s professional class notebooks for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions, Gateway is now making its Mobile Theft Protection Solution available on notebook PCs for home and home office customers. The move is another step in the company’s focus on delivering best-in-breed security solutions for its customers.

Gateway Mobile Theft Protection uses the proven LoJack® for Laptops software to track systems that are missing. In the event that the notebook is lost or stolen, the Absolute Software Recovery Team can pinpoint the notebook once it is used online. The solution is credited with many successful recoveries.

For example, when a Gateway notebook on loan from William Penn University to a student was stolen recently, the university alerted Absolute Software. The notebook was later found when a recovery specialist from Absolute Software tracked the notebook’s Internet connection to a phone line and contacted the local authorities–the Des Moines Police Department. The police were able to quickly and easily recover the stolen notebook.

“It’s very likely that the Gateway notebook from William Penn University would have ended up like most other stolen notebooks–never seen again,” said Detective William Boggs, Des Moines Police Department. “This was the first case I worked on that involved a stolen notebook with LoJack® for Laptops and I was really impressed with how Absolute helped us locate the system. Because of it, the university has their Gateway PC back, and we were able to stop a crime.”

Gateway is extended the offering of LoJack for Laptops to consumers to deliver an important layer of physical protection. “For a home PC customer, a missing notebook means losing very precious and personal information,” said Josh Wood, director, Gateway’s Box and Beyond group. “Customers use their notebook for everything from filing taxes to holiday shopping and online bill payments–so these PCs are ripe with confidential data, passwords and private information. Also, these customers typically don’t have comprehensive backup programs, so a lost or stolen notebook also means losing files, photos and potentially lots more.”

Absolute guarantees the recovery of the computer; if it cannot be recovered within 30 days, the customer may be eligible for a refund of the cost of LoJack® for Laptops(1).

“A notebook PC is stolen every 53 seconds in the United States, making the threat of computer theft and misuse among the most serious dangers facing today’s consumers,” said John Livingston, chairman and CEO of Absolute Software. “Gateway is providing its customers with industry leading mobile theft protection with LoJack® for Laptops recovery service.”

Pricing and Availability Gateway’s Mobile Theft Protection Solution is available now on its full line of notebooks for home and home-office customers including the Gateway CX200, NX200, NX250, NX500, NX550, NX850 and M325.
Prices for the Gateway Mobile Theft Protection using Computrace LoJack for Laptops software and service follows: $59 for one year, $79 for two years, $89 for three years, and $119 for four years.(1)

Gateway Mobile Theft Protection enhances a range of Gateway offerings that help to protect its customers’ PCs. Gateway offers software from best-in-class providers including Symantec, McAfee, Veritas and others as well as convenient software packages including the Gateway Complete Security Suite and Gateway Complete Security Bundle software priced at $49.99 and $99.99 respectively.

A pro-active upgrade tool called BigFix® is also featured at no charge on Gateway’s notebook PCs for home and home office customers.(2) With the customer’s permission, BigFix® identifies and sends messages offering updates and general PC maintenance. For example, BigFix® will alert customers to new software patches that will keep the PC updated with the latest security fixes.

Gateway also offers a range of extended service plans including Accidental Damage Protection, which delivers repaired or replaced parts that fail due to normal use or handling caused by unintentional impacts, dropping, falls, accidentally spilled liquids, immersion in liquids and power surges.(3)